$1.95 The Intelligent GamblerGambler™

© 1996 ConJelCo, All Rights Reserved Number 6, November 1996

tions to that. Most of the tournament Advanced Players and High-Low Split Publisher’s Corner players don’t play the side games very Poker for Advanced Players, are by far Chuck Weinstock well. It seems to me, the people getting superior to anything else on the market Welcome to issue number six of The rich are the successful side game players, and David’s Theory of Poker, we feel is Intelligent Gambler. Due to space con- not the successful tournament players. the best poker book ever written. siderations, I’m going to keep my So basically, I stay in the side games. IG: Would you allow that there could be remarks to a minimum and let the con- IG: Will Espin (Tropicana, Atlantic City) differences of opinion on how to play tent speak for itself. wrote an article recently and has actually and that these differences of opinion I would like to call your attention to two said to me privately that he thinks tour- might be valid? things. First of all, we are about to pub- naments are bad for poker. MM: No. Generally no. This is actually a lish a re-edited edition of Stuart Perry’s MM: I have to agree with him very very good question. I actually believe wonderful Las Vegas Blackjack Diary. strongly there. I think that events like the that in limit Hold’em, in full games espe- See the What’s New section for details. World Series of Poker are great events cially when the games are fairly loose, As our mailing list has grown, we are and are good for poker, but the prolifera- there is a correct way to play. There’s no still struggling with how to deal with the tion of tournaments in general I think is variation to that. Once the game gets increased cost of sending out The Intelli- bad for the poker. They take too much short handed particularly and against gent Gambler. Beginning with the next money out of the poker economy. They better players then there’s a lot of varia- issue we are going to prune our mailing pull too much money into one spot, tion. But generally in the games I play in list. If we haven’t heard from you since which means that it often doesn’t come there’s a correct way to play and any 1994, this will be your last issue. If back into the poker economy and they other way is incorrect. you’ve ordered from us in the last two burn up players’ bank rolls too fast. In IG: So you have an introductory book, years, or have requested to stay on the general, I think the poker industry would for Hold’em and then the advanced book list during that time period there is no be much better off with a lot less tourna- for Hold’em. What about the someone need to do anything. The rest of you ments. who wants to get into stud? Do you have should send us a note if you want to stay IG: Yet a lot of people enjoy smaller tour- any recommendation? Your advanced active. naments as a relatively cheap form of book is certainly the place to go once entertainment... you’ve got some experience, but is that An Interview with Mason Malmuth MM: People enjoy all sorts of things. I the place to start? Mason Malmuth have nothing against tournaments per-se. MM: Well I think the stud section in Part Two I never liked having to sit someplace for Doyle Brunson’s Super System is fairly In January of this year I was fortunate 7 to 8 hours and leave with nothing and good. and our stud book is the best. enough to be able to sit down with I’ve always found the side games to be Essentially I don’t see much else out on Mason Malmuth for an extended inter- much more profitable. stud. There’s a couple new things that view. The subjects were far ranging. Part On How to Become an Expert have come out that I haven’t looked at one appeared in the last issue. Part three IG: Earlier you suggested that to become yet. I don’t see anything else out on stud will appear in the next issue. an expert player you have to read books that I would recommend. On Tournaments on poker. Do you have any recommenda- IG: A lot of people like the Percy book. IG: Do you play tournament’s at all? I tions? Do you have an opinion on that? don’t recall hearing of you playing one. MM: Obviously I’m going to recom- MM; I guess it’s all right if you’re start- MM: Very rarely. I’ve played a few in my mend our own books. I think that they’re ing. I mean it’s been along time since lifetime, but I’ve never enjoyed them. clearly the best books. If you’re new to I’ve read it. It didn’t say a lot of stupid Basically the way I see it, the side game poker I think David Sklansky’s original The Intelligent Gambler is published on an players are the ones that win all the Hold’em book, which is called Hold’em irregular basis by ConJelCo as a service to our money. It seems like the people who hit a Poker is the place to start. I think our customers. ConJelCo, 132 Radcliff Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15237. 412-492-9210, 800-492- tournament or two just shoot it off in the advanced books: Hold’em Poker for 9210. Fax: 412-492-9031. [email protected], side games. I’ve seen very few excep- Advanced Players, Seven Card Stud for http://www.conjelco.com. ♠ Intelligent Gambler 1

things as some of the books say, but I counts are just about as good and Profes- good player, and I always enjoy watching guess it’s all right to start with. sional Blackjack is certainly a must read. him and discussing his play. He said, “Lee, IG: Are you working on any more poker IG: The Red Seven isn’t bad. It’s not as you’ve got to get into this game.” I books at this point? good for shoe games I guess. demurred until I saw a woman make it MM: I’m putting together Poker Essays MM: Right, but any count, the Zen count, three bets cold with Q8-off-suit pre-flop. I volume II (now available). I have about Wong’s high-low count. They’re all fairly sat down, endured some wild swings, and four years worth of articles that have been good and they all achieve roughly the cashed out a small (for that game) win. published in the magazines, but I haven’t same. Consistently, I saw people make inexcus- made a book yet. So it will probably come IG: Do you have another blackjack book ably bad calls, the hallmark of bad play. I out later this year. And Sklansky and I plan in you at this point? saw a lot of bad bets and raises, but it’s always harder to fault somebody for giv- to write a new book. It is tentatively titled MM: No. Everything about blackjack is ing his opponent an opportunity to fold. Gambling For a Living and should be out. The problem in blackjack is that it is This time, I saw people calling two and available early next year. We believe that it not getting better, I believe it’s getting three bets cold before the flop with hands will quickly become one of the most suc- worse. There is still money to be made out that were huge dogs to win, or were likely cessful gambling books of all time. of it, not quite as much as there used to be. to be heavily dominated. On Blackjack Most of the blackjack players I know right There were a couple of incidents that IG: Let’s turn to blackjack for a moment. now are struggling, but that may be more reminded me that I was not playing 3-6. In You prefer poker, but there are a lot of our of a function of short term luck than actual one case, a very wild player raised under readers who are blackjack players. Do you conditions. have anything you would say to them? the gun, and it was folded to me. I had IG: Do you ever do any recreational gam- MM: Well, the cuts are very important. pocket 8’s, and based on her play, I was bling or is it all serious? By that I mean do comfortably in front. Wanting to playing Generally, the cuts are more important you ever play a negative expectation than the rules. the pot heads-up, I re-raised. It was (as I game, just for the hell of it? had hoped) folded back around to her. She IG: So penetration is the name of the MM: Essentially no. stopped, looked at me... “You haven’t game? IG: You don’t like playing craps once in a played a hand in half an hour.” and folded. MM: Yes, penetration is the name of the while or... So, even the wilder players may be more game. However, there is a problem in the MM: No. I have no interest in that. Basi- attuned to the game around them. And, of single deck games with the preferential cally, if I’m putting money down on some- course, in almost every one of those big shuffle. A lot of it is unintentional, but it’s thing, I’m trying to win some. games, there will be one or more sharks there. If you’re interested in betting seri- looking to feed on the fish. ous money you almost have to go to a six IG: Do you ever play video poker, when The moral of the story is this: just because deck game where your fluctuations are you have the edge? they’re playing with different colored going to be very, very severe. I just don’t MM: Very rarely, I actually have a couple chips doesn’t mean that you’re not capable think it’s as much fun as poker. times, but I just don’t have much interest of participating. A few thoughts before IG: Do you play six deck games basically? in it. It just comes down to the fact, it’s not that these things aren’t worth doing, I find you buy in to the biggest game in the MM: Well I have. that my time is better off playing poker. house: IG: What count do you use when you Mason Malmuth is the author and pub- As I and others have discussed, wild loose count? lisher of numerous books on gambling, games have a huge variance, even if you’re MM: I’ve used several different counts in and is now offering his consulting services a winning player. A 30-60 game will add a my career, but for the six deck games, the through ConJelCo. zero to all your swings, if you’re typically simple high-low count like Wong’s high- a 3-6 player. Be sure your bankroll (and low is probably plenty good. If you were Low-Limit Play at the Higher Limits your nerves) can tolerate it. somehow in a deeply dealt single deck Lee Jones The chance of you finding a juicy “big” game, you might want to use a little more When I wrote Winning Low-Limit game (let’s call that 30-60 and up) without complicated count. Basically in the shoe Hold’em, I said that many of the tech- at least one or two strong pro’s or semi- games you want a count that’s effective in niques in the book were applicable only to pro’s is very small. Figure out who those betting, more than effective in playing (surprisingly enough) low-limit games. people are and stay out of their way. Also strategy. So a simple plus minus count, My belief and experience were that as you know who the fish are. Most importantly, that counts the aces as minus one will do got to 10-20 and 15-30 games, the caliber never forget the adage about not being the job quite nicely. of play went up, and you needed more able to spot the fish in the first half hour. IG: So, I gather then you would recom- sophisticated strategies to win. Don’t lose your self-control. You get two mend that somebody who is starting out in T’ain’t necessarily so. cards just like everybody else. If you play blackjack get a copy of Wong’s Profes- Recently, I’ve been watching and playing better than your opponents, you’ll take sional Blackjack or.... in some relatively high limit games, and down the chips, regardless of what color MM: Actually, I think my favorite book I’ve been stunned at how loose and wild they are. for beginners is Arnold Snyder’s Black the game can be. For example, a couple of Lee Jones is the author of our best-selling Belt in Blackjack, even though the Zen months ago, I was watching a game (let’s book Winning Low-Limit Hold’em. He count is maybe probably a little too com- just say that it was at least 30-60) in which can regularly be found playing poker in plicated for someone new. But all the a friend of mine was playing. He’s a very the San Francisco Bay area. ♠ Intelligent Gambler 2

In both games, good players vary their a low two pair might very well lose out to Video Poker vs. Regular Poker strategies considerably as they go from a high two pair. Bob Dancer one variation to another. In regular poker, good players will win A friend and I were walking through a In video poker, you know at the outset most of the time. In video poker, that won’t casino. He stopped in front of a 10-7 dou- what any hand, such as three of a kind, is happen. I personally lose about two ses- ble bonus video poker machine and started worth. In regular poker, three of a kind sions out of three, even though I never play to deposit quarters. I commented that I may or may not be a winner. And it may be in a game where I am not the favorite, play didn’t know he played that game. He very expensive to find out for sure. virtually perfectly, and overall am a signif- responded that he played real poker, so icant winner. surely he could handle this. When I later In video poker, you know at the outset In video poker, you will usually lose dur- asked him why he didn’t draw to inside what any hand will cost. You rarely know ing a session if you don’t hit one of the top straights (correct strategy for this game), this in real poker, unless you or a sole two or three hands. For example, in 25¢ he replied that since he wouldn’t do that in opponent are close to going all in. deuces wild (which is worth about $5.70 regular poker, he surely wouldn’t do that A good mathematician will do well at per hour, plus slot club benefits), you have here! video poker. A good psychologist, who happens to be inscrutable, will do better at less than a 5% chance of being a winner It hadn’t previously occurred to me that after a three hour session unless you hit 4 the games have much in common. To be regular poker. Social skills are largely unnecessary at video poker. deuces or a royal flush. If an expert plays sure, they both use quite a bit of similar about 600 hands per hour, on average he Video poker games are always available, terminology. I decided to examine exactly will hit either 4 deuces or a royal flush twenty four hours a day, in a huge number how they compare. approximately once every eight hours. In of variations (at least in Las Vegas, Atlan- Hand rankings are similar. Every video three hours, he has, overall, about a 40% tic City and a few other cities). You do not poker game pays more for full houses than chance of being plus, and a 60% chance of always have enough live players to make for three of a kind, but some pay the same being minus. up a poker game, and the first game that is for straights and flushes, and straight However, his score when he’s plus will be made up may not be to your liking. How- flushes are not always worth more than higher than when he’s minus. Without hit- ever, live poker games may be found in four of a kind. Indeed, in some games, four ting either jackpot, he will be down, on thousands of cities every night. fours are worth more than four fives. average, about $130. If he hits 4 deuces, Royals get a big bonus. In regular poker, a Video poker players who only play for pro- he’ll be up $120, and if he hits the royal king-high straight flush is very marginally gressives above a certain level will have a flush (a once every 75 hour joyous occa- inferior to a royal flush. In most games, bit in common with the live poker player sion), he’ll be up $870. waiting for the right “live player” to come either hand would win every pot every In regular poker, you very well may be along. time. In video poker, the difference close to even after three hours. In video between these hands is huge, especially if “Cheat Sheets” won’t do you any good, poker, this is not likely. a progressive is involved. and are usually illegal, at regular poker. At video poker, you can analyze your There are no bad beats in video poker. If However strategy charts, such as found in opponent (the machine) very accurately. you end up with 4 of a kind, you are going books on video poker, can be extremely After several hundred thousand hands, to get paid. You can’t lose out to another useful at video poker. And most casinos your expected win (or loss) will be very player getting a straight flush. allow you to use them. close to the mathematical expectation— There is only one decision point in video At video poker, helping your neighbor is assuming you play perfectly. At live poker, poker. Regular poker frequently has sev- quite acceptable. (Although many neigh- your opponents come in a variety of eral betting rounds, and sometimes several bors prefer it if you keep your advice to strengths. And each of these opponents decisions per round. In video poker, you yourself, thank you.) Collusion of any have good days and bad days. And many make your one choice before the draw. sort between players in the same poker of these opponents will be making adjust- The draw occurs and the game is over. And game is strictly forbidden. This is not to ments to their game depending upon every player is in every game until the end. say, of course, that it doesn’t happen. results. Your score after several hundred Bluffing, raising, calling, sandbagging In most live poker games, the “house” has thousand hands is far less predictable. and a variety of other poker strategies no stake in the game. Usually, the house At live poker, the competition increases have no place in video poker. collects a fee for providing certain ser- with the stakes. The players in a $2 - $4 Both games include several variations. vices, and the players go after each other. game are generally not nearly as compe- Video poker includes a variety of draw In video poker, the house is the direct tent as those in the $100 - $200 game. poker types. Some of these (jacks or better opponent of every player. And the players Optimal strategy will differ between the or deuces wild) have direct analogues in do not play against each other, except in games. In video poker this is not true. You real poker (although most poker players the case of progressive jackpots. can find 5¢ 9-6 jacks or better machines. would dispute that the deuces wild variety In video poker, usually the size of any hand You can find $100 9-6 jacks or better of live poker should be considered “real” does not matter. For example, an ace-high machines. The strategy for either game is poker.) Some others (various types of flush is worth no more than a 7-high flush. identical. bonus poker) do not. To be sure, in some games a pair of jacks You can trust your opponent at video Regular poker includes several stud variet- is worth more than a pair of tens, but even poker, at least if you play in Nevada or ies, as well as high-low games, which do in that game, a pair of kings is no more New Jersey. State gaming commissions not directly compare to video poker types. valuable than a pair of jacks. In real poker, ensure an honest game. Cheating incidents ♠ Intelligent Gambler 3

are very rare. In live poker, there are nique is commonly known as “whipsaw- Key words or phrases: Probably the least always players looking for an edge—some ing.” If one player holds the absolute nuts common of collusion methods. However, without scruples about bending the rules. in a hand, the obvious goal is to make the if partners are not in good visible proxim- Tournaments abound in both games. In pot as large as possible—to win the maxi- ity to each other, codewords might be uti- both games, tournament strategy differs mum amount of money. This may be lized. widely from “normal” strategy. accomplished by signaling to a confeder- There are obvious situations which scream Bob Dancer is a Las Vegas based video ate that all betting activity should be raised “collusion!” What I look out for are poker professional. He is currently writing until the maximum number of bets have instances where one player has raised or a new book, Video Poker for Winners. been placed—naturally catching unsus- re-raised another (always including at pecting callers in-between, all the way to a least one other player who is the target) Collusion Countermeasures big payoff. without any apparent justification. In limit Nolan Dalla There are an assortment of signals partner poker, two players may insist on capping Several years ago, the world of tourna- teams might use. These signals are remi- the betting every round to trap an unsus- ment bridge was rocked by a major scan- niscent of a baseball coach signaling to a pecting victim. At the showdown then one dal. It was learned that a small group of hitter what should be done on the next player shows the nuts and the other raiser competitors used a cunning arrangement pitch with convoluted gesticulations. Nat- inconspicuously mucks his hand. Counter- of sophisticated signaling techniques and urally, in poker these motions are much measure Number One—That’s a hand I voice intonations during the bidding more subtle. Keeping in mind that signals want to see! Simply ask the dealer to stages at the table. This exchange of infor- are usually not so obvious as is suggested expose the losing hands. It will usually be mation gave them a tremendous advantage here, some common means of communi- obvious if the player was truly justified in in tournament competition over oppo- cation are: raising all along. If the player has abso- nents. The scandal eventually led to funda- Hand signals: A semi-known series of sig- lutely nothing—he is a prime suspect as a mental changes at the top levels of nals is conveying an Ace with a scratch to cheater. Occasionally there are times when tournament bridge, and specifically in the the top of the head; a King by rubbing the maniacs, drunks, or extreme novices sim- bidding process. Today, in some cases eyes; a Queen by touching the nose; a Jack ply don’t know what they are doing. But players use screens and bidding boxes by contact with the mouth; and a Ten by its rather obvious when a player seems to which block their partners from view. scratching the jaw (moving lower by be selective about the hands he plays— Although this may seem an odd and obtru- rank). This would give the affiliate an then is suddenly raising a re-raising with sive procedure, the countermeasure was advantage knowing which cards are out of absolutely nothing. Watch out. A red flag deemed the only means feasible which play. For example, if one player seeks to should go up. would preserve and protect integrity of inform his partner that he folded Q-10 pre- Don’t worry about slowing up the game or bridge tournaments. flop, he might touch the nose first, then the opponents becoming angry when you In poker, teams might also employ various chin area. The gesture would seem very request to see a dead hand. That’s their signaling techniques. Some of these meth- natural for someone not involved in the problem. If they don’t like it, simply sug- ods are very simple. Others are more com- hand. But, the partner picking-up this sig- gest the game would move along faster if plex and may be virtually undetectable— nal gets an added edge. One other popular all players would expose all cards at every even to those witnessing every single hand signaling technique is used occasion- showdown (also be aware of differing state move. The two primary motives for part- ally in 7-card stud. When holding on to laws and individual cardroom rules which ners to use signals are: unexposed cards, if one finger is deal with mandatory exposure of hands— Gaining information by signaling key extended—this signifies one-pair. Two fin- in New Jersey, for example, any player sit- cards: A popular method is to signal hid- gers outward may mean two pair. Three ting at the table may ask to see a “call” den cards to the collusion-partner on rele- fingers extended may symbolize three-of- hand at the showdown; However, rules dif- vant hands. Using an extreme case as an a-kind. Two hands covering the hole cards fer from state to state). By accomplishing example; In hold’em if both partners dis- might suggest a (straight or flush) draw. Of this, at least part of the collusion arsenal covered they each hold the same pocket course, signals are always pre-arranged so will be neutralized. pair (and exchange this information suc- only the confederates will perceive them. If you suspect cheating is going on, what cessfully), they both would know there is There are countless others also. should you do? Unless the colluders are so virtually no way to improve their hands Target placement of a table object: There incompetent you can intercept their sig- with communal flop cards. A dual fold are almost always cigarettes, drinks, light- nals (which would probably be a enor- early would save both individuals ers, lucky charms, and assorted items on mous waste of time and effort to study money—from calling perhaps through the the poker table. These objects all provide anyway), leave the table. If you are entire hand. Another example is even more an opportunity for someone to convey socially conscious—as I believe everyone evident in high/low split games (notably information. Taking a drink or puffing on should be in the interest of poker—imme- stud and Omaha), where one player sig- a cigarette may seem like an ordinary diately inform the floor manager of your nals to the other if he is going for the occurrence, but is it? Without meaning to suspicions away from the table. Insist that “high” or “low” hand, thus avoiding the suggest player paranoia, these actions may action be taken. However, be aware that possibility that the partners may counter- also signify something more sinister. If catching cheaters red-handed is most- feit each other. someone hasn’t set a cigarette in the ash- likely a hopeless effort. Proving miscon- Prompting a specific betting action to tray all night then suddenly sets it down duct is next to impossible. In Atlantic City, manipulate the size of the pot: This tech- and a raising war starts, look out. for example, despite occasional com- ♠ Intelligent Gambler 4

plaints about collusion to management— careful to maintain my “act” since I started If possible, seek out games where you can and an outright brawl on one occasion counting cards, which is to say, I haven’t come close to breaking even with strategy where the suspected colluder was physi- made any radical departures from my nor- changes alone. In these games, you should cally assaulted, there is no record with the mal playing style. They’re used to me frequently revert to break even play, by Casino Control Commission of anyone spreading my bets widely, so I can get ignoring the count for your bet-sizing. Fol- being “banned” from any poker room in away with murder at the tables, so to low your established spreading patterns New Jersey for such activity. In Las Vegas, speak. I have two questions: One, what regardless of the count, until you decide to where countermeasures are more strictly would be the most important things I go in for the kill. Since you can afford the enforced with more experienced poker should do to keep the wool over their fluctuation, longevity is your main con- personnel—thus giving poker players eyes? And, two, How long can I realisti- cern. Remember that it’s the betting strat- slightly more protection—some partner cally expect to last until their suspicions egies that card counters use that give them teams are nevertheless able to operate are raised? I’d hate to lose my comped away 99% of the time. undetected. The infamous “Black Book” casino vacations. It’s not the money, it’s You didn’t mention which ten books contains the names of cheaters, not collud- the luxurious treatment I’m afraid would you’ve read, so allow me to provide a ers—although to those of us who play disappear if they found me out. mandatory list of authors whose work on poker they are one and the same. A.: Right now, you’re in the catbird seat. blackjack you should be aware of (in The sad truth is there is not much one can Any player who has spent twelve years alphabetical order, not order of impor- do to stop this form of cheating, other than establishing his “act,” prior to making his tance): Ian Andersen, Julian Braun, Bryce to simply deny colluders the opportunity move, is well-positioned to make a killing. Carlson, Carlson Chambliss (and co- to get your money. Make sure you do not You already know this. As you suspect, author, Thomas Roginsky), Steve Forte, fall victim. At the poker table there are too however, this card-counting fling could be Peter Griffin, Mason Malmuth, Lawrence many important things going on which short-lived. There are many potential pit- Revere, Edward Thorp, Ken Uston, Allan deserve your attention. You should not falls. Wilson, Stanford Wong, and Bill Zender. have to contend with worries of being vic- First, anyone who makes frequent, multi- And get a copy of Michael Dalton’s Black- timized. So, if you suspect it may be hap- ple, table-limit bets is going to be watched jack: A Professional Reference, so that pening, the very best course of action is closely. There will be security personnel you’re aware of how much you haven’t simply to find another game. Inform man- analyzing your play, despite the fact that read. agement of your suspicions. And, if you you’ve been losing “bundles of loot” since In the real world, most card counters don’t are bold enough—announce to the entire 1980. If they note that your biggest bets make it very long. The higher the stakes, table what you suspect to make it as always correspond with high counts, sur- the more difficult it is to pull it off. If you uncomfortable as possible for the partner veillance will increase. If the trend contin- do get caught counting cards, and you still teams to remain in the game and operate ues, other pit personnel will be notified. want the comps and the luxury treatment, freely. Indeed, some things in poker and in You will be secretly hawked until a deci- no problem. Take up craps. life are worth fighting for. sion is made on you. Arnold Snyder is the author of Blackbelt Nolan Dalla writes frequently on gaming If you’re serious about taking the casinos in Blackjack and editor of Blackjack issues. His column “Tales From the Felt” for a ride, you better be good. You’ll have Forum magazine, both available through regularly appears in Card Player Maga- to learn to camouflage your high count ConJelCo. Write to him c/o RGE Publish- zine. bets into your old wild betting style, with- ing, 414 Santa Clara Ave., Oakland, CA out using so much camouflage you negate 94610, or E-mail [email protected]. Going For The Big Con your advantage. It is essential that you By Arnold Snyder maintain as much as you can the same How Many Americans Really Make Q.: I’m relatively new to card counting. I playing style and attitude you’ve had a Living at Gambling? discovered I enjoyed this approach to through the years. You already know this, Mike Caro “America’s Mad Genius” playing blackjack a few months ago. I’ve too. Why is it that every time I agree to do an read about ten books on the subject, and Ten books is a pretty good start, but you’re interview, the questions are the same? For spend many hours per week practicing. I going to have to acquire a phenomenal instance: When was the first time you feel I could really make some big money knowledge and “feel” for the game to pull played poker? Who cares? I mean, let’s be at this game. this off at the stakes you’re playing for. honest—I don’t even remember that first I’m fairly well-known in many of the big You’ll have to learn which “dumb” plays time. I was a little kid for godsakes. casinos, as I often make table-limit bets, are costly, and which ones look worse than What interviewers should really ask is: and sometimes multiple table-limit bets. they are. You’ll want to know your precise What didn’t you know the first time you I’ve been playing this way since about (dis)advantage from playing basic strat- played poker that would have prevented 1980, though until my last couple trips, egy, and you’ll want to know how much you from getting kicked in the ass? Truth- I’ve never applied any advantageous strat- you can affect your expectation by making fully, I don’t remember that, either; but I egy. I’m always treated very well by the strategy changes alone. I’d suggest you can speculate. casinos, which is as it should be. They’ve familiarize yourself with some of the The first time I played poker, I didn’t know won a bundle of loot from me over the excellent computer simulation software that you weren’t supposed to try to win the years. that’s available, so you can run tests of the pot. I mean, it just seems obvious when I don’t need the money, but I love the games you play in, under the conditions you’re a little kid that winning the pot is thought of evening the score. I’ve been you find. what poker is all about. Unfortunately, ♠ Intelligent Gambler 5

most casual players bring this little-kid year, that sum being at least half of what poker by cheating. By far the majority of attitude to the tables as adults. If you went they could earn if they chose another pro- players capable of earning a living at to the table the first time knowing that fession, who are primarily involved in for- poker are strongly opposed to cheating. you’ll get paid in the long run for making malized wagers or games of chance (as The reason the percentages are as stated is quality decisions, knowing that throwing a opposed to taking business risks) and who simple: Honest poker players with great hand away and surrendering any chance at are not benefiting from the casino’s side of skill seldom win when they end up the pot actually can put money in your it. We will also exclude illegal bookies, unknowingly in games where unscrupu- pocket, you’d be successful almost imme- considering them to be more like casinos lous poker players with lesser skills cheat. diately. with a built-in edge. The result is that the original pool of What else didn’t I know in that first poker Here’s the over/under: 32,813. Don’t ask potential players who could make their game when I was a little kid? Let’s see. me how we got that number, just some living at poker is overpopulated with pred- Oh, I didn’t know that anyone actually rough estimates here and some wild spec- ators. played poker for a living. I probably ulation there. But, I think it’s very accu- Why am I telling you this? I’m telling you thought it was a game of luck, like Old rate. In other words, I’m saying there are so that, assuming you’re an honest gam- Maid. So, here’s the really intelligent just as likely to be 32,812 or fewer Amer- bler and especially if you’re an honest question I’ve never been asked: ican gamblers earning a living as there are poker player, you can redouble your vigi- How many Americans make their living to be 32,814 or more. lance. Don’t play in games where you gambling? If that sounds like a large number, just worry about being cheated. Even if the Many millions, if you define gambling as keep in mind that it means fewer than one game turns out to be totally honest, you the art of taking chances, including busi- in 5,000 adults makes a living gambling. will waste valuable mental energy on your ness ventures. But that’s not what you But let’s break this figure down more. concern that you’re being scammed. When mean. You mean games of chance and for- How many of these don’t cheat? Answer that happens, you don’t have your full mal bets on the outcome of events. First, 19,124 (again a ridiculously exact number mental faculties available to make best- let’s qualify this by specifying that not arrived at by compromise). Repeating, quality strategic decisions. everyone who is money ahead from this there are only about 19,124 honest gam- Remember, we’ve been talking about sort of gambling is making a living at it. blers earning a living in the United States gamblers making a living, not gamblers I’ll exclude two categories: (1) Those who under my previously explained definition. who win. There are many times as many are currently ahead, but whose results are That means, of the estimated 32,813 total winners as full-time pros, particularly in luck based and who can’t expect to win gamblers making a living, only 58 percent games like blackjack, poker, gin rummy, regularly in the future; (2) Those who are make that living honestly. The rest have bridge, and backgammon. skillful enough to win and augment their various schemes or angles going for them. Some people make enough money gam- incomes gambling, but not by enough to This includes some blackjack players who bling to live on if they choose, but they make a living from it. go against the house, although the vast make more money elsewhere—and these So, now—under that definition, how many majority of these do so honestly—if you were not counted in our definition, either. American’s make their living gambling? consider counting cards and honest. I do; So, don’t be discouraged by the small por- Well, wait! Do you we include those that casino management sometimes doesn’t. tion of Americans who make a living gam- are on the business side of legalized gam- But let’s take poker. First of all, of that bling. There are really a lot of winners, bling, such as casino owners and even 32,813 gamblers making a living in Amer- and if you stick to the games where your employees? No, we’re not talking about ica, how many are primarily poker play- decisions matter—rather than games like them; we’ll only count players who make ers? OK, you want another over/under, craps and roulette where the odds are fixed their living beating the casinos, players here it comes: 18,100. How many are against you—you can be a winner, too. If who make their living beating other play- totally honest in the way they exact this you’re really dedicated, you can even ers, gamblers who make their living on living? It’s 6,914. That means 62 percent gamble for a living, and then I'll have to winning bets on the outcome of events, or of American poker players making a living increase my over/under to 32,814. gamblers who combine any of those. are scamming. Mike Caro is a regular columnist in Card Are we ready now? I guess not, because Why so high a number of cheats? First, Player and the author of many publica- we need to define what a living is. Does it you should know that the figures are prob- tions on gambling. His Pro Poker Tells mean not working, but barely scraping ably similar for other card games for Video is one of the fastest selling new enough to get to the tables while begging which there are a far fewer numbers of products in our catalog. You can mail sus- food and sleeping in the back of a car? No, professionals. Gin rummy and hearts pected cheating incidents to him at 4535 not in this definition. To qualify, let’s say a come to mind. There is also a considerable W. Sahara, Suite 105, Las Vegas, NV gambler must make at least half as much amount of cheating in games like back- 89102 or E-mail him at [email protected] . as he would if he held the job he would gammon, although here more than half the otherwise hold and must make a minimum long-term winners cheat. The Definitive Poker Vocabulary Michael Wiesenberg of $30,000 a year. There, now—even Since poker is an easy game to beat though we still have things to quibble through skill, why would more players You sit down for the first time in a lowball about—we can work with this definition. choose to beat it through cheating, game, and hear this from one of the regu- To sum it up, I’m about to tell you how instead? Interesting question, but there’s a lars: “I got Union Oil a–b–c pat, and I go many adult Americans win and have a profound and powerful answer. More seven bets with this Georgy producer. He winning expectation of at least $30,000 a players do not choose to earn a living at comes off a rough ten, takes three cards, ♠ Intelligent Gambler 6

and we go four bets after. So naturally he deuce-to-seven.(n, adj) Lowball in said, “How can I beat this game? I start shows me the Brass Brazilians. I mean, which the lowest card is the deuce, and with pocket rockets, it’s capped before the three cards and he makes Kansas City.” At straights and flushes have significance, flop, I flop a set, I’m betting all the way, the next table you hear: “I got pocket rock- that is, unlike ACE-TO-FIVE, they count the live one stays with deuce-seven suited ets and hit one on the flop, so I cap the bet against a hand. The game is usually played and of course catches runner-runner, while each time, and this live one is hanging in no-limit, and generally for high stakes. I’m just praying to pair the board, because with a pair of ducks, and whaddya think he Currently it survives principally as one of I know what’s gonna happen when I see ends up with? A backdoor flush, and of the contests of several of the Nevada tour- two hearts and him hanging on.” Also course I can’t catch a running pair.” naments, notably the World Series of called PERFECT-PERFECT. What is this strange language? Of course, Poker and the Super Bowl of Poker, running pair.(n phrase*) In hold’em it’s all part of the wonderful demimonde of although it is sometimes played on the or seven-card stud, a pair made by the poker cardrooms. Cardrooms are legal in a riverboat of the South. This form of low- appearance of two matching cards in a row large number of states. Many forms of ball is the exact opposite of high poker; that do not match any already on the poker are played, and each has its own hands are ranked exactly opposite (with board. Compare with RUNNER-RUNNER. unique vocabulary. My book, Poker Talk: one exception, AÐ2Ð3Ð4Ð5, which is not a Union Oil.(n phrase) 1. Lowball: a 7Ð6 A Complete Guide to the Vocabulary of straight, but the best ace-high hand, one low hand. 2. High poker: two pair, 7s and Poker, is the most complete dictionary of hand worse than KÐQÐJÐTÐ8 of mixed 6s. 3. Hold ‘em: 7–6 as one’s first two these terms ever assembled, 186 pages suits, and thus ranks lower than any pair), cards. again unlike ace-to-five, which is mainly a containing more than 3000 definitions. Michael Wiesenberg’s Aunt Sophie is a game of numbers and trying not to get Modesty forbids my repeating the kind regular in Card Player. This article is pairs. In deuce-to-seven, the best hand is reviews this book has received from based upon his new book Poker Talk. respected poker authorities, so instead I 2Ð3Ð4Ð5Ð7. This game is also known as present for your delectation a few samples deuce-to-seven lowball and Kansas City Love Your Pit Critter of colorful terms heard in cardrooms. lowball. Abdul Jalib M’hall a-b-c.(n) In lowball, 3–2–A, as “8–6–aÐ duck.(n) DEUCE. You’re sitting at a blackjack table, doing bÐc” for 8–6–3–2–ace. George.(adj) Good, great. “Sit down. It’s quite nicely thank you, when you feel a tap ace-to-five.(n, adj) The version of low- a George game.” Opposite of TOM. on your back. You turn around and there is ball draw in which the lowest card is the Georgy.(adj) GEORGE, that is good. “Sit a smiling pit critter who says to you ace, and straights and flushes have no sig- down, it’s a Georgy game.” “You’re too good for us sir. You’re wel- nificance. The best hand is AÐ2Ð3Ð4Ð5, hidden hand.(n phrase) A good hand come to play other games here, but we sometimes called a LOWBALL or a WHEEL. that none of the other players knows about don’t want your action at blackjack.” Ace-to-five is also sometimes called CAL- because it never has to raise due to other You’ve been barred, and that may be a sign IFORNIA LOWBALL, particularly when the action. that you need to improve your act. SEVENS RULE is in effect (but all ace-to- Kansas City.(n phrase) 1. KANSAS Ian Anderson’s book, Turning the Tables five games do not necessarily have the sev- CITY LOWBALL. 2. In ace-to-five lowball, on Las Vegas may be the single best book ens rule). Also see DEUCE-TO-SEVEN. the specific hand 7–5–4–3–2, so called on the act, and the act is the single most backdoor.(v) 1. In hold ‘em (and some- because that is the best hand in Kansas important aspect of counting cards. The times seven-card stud), catch two cards to City lowball. act is something you must work hard on a straight or flush on fourth and fifth street now that you are public enemy number Kansas City lowball.(n phrase) when a player had only three cards to the one in the casinos’ eyes. Today’s topic is DEUCE-TO-SEVEN. hand on the flop (or fifth street in seven- simple personal relationships. card stud). The term often applies to a Okie buster.(n phrase) The JOKER. Casino personnel, like all other people in hand made on the end that the player of the producer.(n) Someone who brings lots the world, are equipped with jerk detectors hand wasn’t trying to make, implying that of money to a game and keeps it in circu- and can usually recognize people who are the player had something else to go for on lation. This term in usually used by card- jerks. If you are really a jerk at heart, they three cards than the straight or flush. For room management to describe someone will know it, and they will treat you rudely example, a player starts with A❤Ð8❤, and they can build a game around, because as a result and look for any excuse to the flop is A♠Ð6♣Ð4❤. The turn is 9❤, others like to play with him, or by profes- remove you from their presence. ❤ and the river J , causing the player to sionals to describe a rich live one. Assuming you are not radiating negative backdoor a flush. See RUNNER-RUNNER. runner-runner.(n*) In hold ‘em, flush “vibes”, then a big plus will simply be act- Sometimes the term refers to making four or straight cards that arrive on the fourth ing civil. Many gamblers, especially high of a kind when a player had a pair in the and fifth cards, appearing for someone rollers, are class A jerks, and act like it. I hole (and nothing else on the flop). “I had who, on the flop, had only three to that par- once sat next to a casino-hotel owner who a set the whole way, and he backdoored a ticular hand. For example, Loose Larry was betting $2000 a hand—he alternated straight on me.” 2. (adj) Part of the phrase starts with hole cards 2❤ 7❤. The flop is between insulting and making (unwanted) backdoor straight or backdoor flush. A♠ K♣ 8❤. The J❤ 5❤ that appear on sexual come-ons to the poor female dealer. backdoor flush.(n phrase*) See BACK- the TURN and RIVER (fifth community Therefore, just acting normal and civil DOOR. card) are called runner-runner. Larry counts a lot towards endearing you to the Brass Brazilians.(n phrase) The probably beats Salty Sam, who started pit critters’ hearts. Extend the usual cour- NUTS; usually preceded by the. with A♣ A♦ and bet it all the way. Sam tesies of “please” and “thank you”, don’t ♠ Intelligent Gambler 7 fling cards or yell, don’t get angry at any- when they have forgotten their name tags. My memory is a bit hazy on the quantities one, and don’t ask for the name of any- Many dealers and pit critters remember involved, but I think the shift manager one’s lawyer so you can sue them. These my name, and it’s mighty embarrassing gave me at least $2000 there, and it simple things get you at least half of the when I forget theirs. People love to hear wouldn’t have happened if I had not built “act” benefits. their own names. Use their names liberally some sort of superficial relationship with You can go a step further by establishing when saying hello and good-bye and get- him over the years. personal relationships with the pit critters. ting their attention. The shift manager is by far the most This is not as daunting a task as it seems. The benefits of good relationships with important person to befriend. Do you Again, see Dale Carnegie’s book How to dealers is getting good games without believe the shift manager with whom I’m Win Friends and Influence People. Viewed preferential shuffles or other countermea- on a hugging basis would ever think of tritely, this book is about how to get people sures. You can also sometimes get more barring me?! Baring me, maybe, barring to help you using a few tricks at a superfi- blatant help, such as two incidents in the me, never. Maybe if I went in with a 1-50 cial level. You can get started by sharing last week with two different dealers, who spread and threatened to sue if they shuf- your true emotions with the dealer. Only saw the 10 they were about to bust me with fled early, then she would bar me, but then real feelings that the dealer can empathize and gave it instead to my second hand or to again I just wouldn’t do that. If she knew I with will do. Maybe, “My cat died...” or “I themselves, clearly cheating for me, not was counting but I limited myself to a 1-4 just discovered true love...” or whatnot. It against me. spread on their single deck game, she has to be real, something from your life Everything I said about dealers works for would probably just be happy for me as today, and you have to let them see inside higher pit critters too (and for everyone long as I didn’t make her bottom line look you. else in life.) bad by making a pig of myself. The shift Once you have opened up to the dealer, Let’s take a look at a couple of relation- manager normally has the ultimate deci- you should wait and see if they reciprocate ships I’ve got with shift managers: sion about whether you get barred or not. by opening up to you. If they say anything Me: “Hi Susan!” Get in good with the shift manager, and about anything, do not disagree, and take Manager: “Andy!!!!” [she gives me a close you’re in good for life at that casino (on an instant fascination in the subject. If they hug (it really works)] that shift.) say, “I’m upset because I bet on the Me: “It’s been a long time. How have you Despite all my talk of superficial niceties, 49’ers”, then say, “Yeah, I thought they been?” it is not really so superficial. It works best would beat the Cowboys too...what do you Manager: “Oh, I had a rough few months if you really do care about the other per- think went wrong?” Even if you have little and took a personal leave, but now I’m son. If you really do care about a person to no knowledge or interest in the subject, feeling much better.” and really are nice to them, you are giving you can just keep asking questions like it’s Me: “I’m glad things are better. What hap- them some of the most valuable things in the most important thing to you. pened? Job? Boyfriend?” life, and they will appreciate it. It implies It really works. In one case, I talked about Manager: “I’ve got to run since it’s really that you will sometimes do something nice my wife leaving me, and the dealer crazy tonight, but come back on a calmer for someone without expecting anything in responded by telling me about her former night and I can sit and chat with you about return. fake marriage to give a friend U.S. citizen- it. Let me know if you need anything.” For example, sometimes I play heads up ship. A few months later, this dealer Me: “Okay, see ya Susan.” single or double deck with a shuffle became my girlfriend (it really works). And then there is this: machine. The number of hands I can play When I reminded her that I knew about Everyone loses to a dealer blackjack, but per hour this way is pretty staggering, and that marriage, she was shocked that she wait, there was a dealer misdeal, sort of, it’s rough on the dealer. If I can tell that the had been so open with me, as it was some- not really altering the outcome but raising dealer is getting fatigued, perhaps having thing she had told very few people. the possibility that the manager might call back pains or something, then I’ll tell them Basically, people’s favorite subject is the hand dead. I have a large bet out and to take a five minute stretch break while I themselves, and while you may get the there are other big bets out on the table. go to the restroom, even if I don’t have to. ball rolling by talking about yourself, you Unknown floor manager comes by and It costs me a lot to leave such a table, but should quickly switch to making the rules that everyone loses, which I have to if I care for the dealer I’m willing to make dealer the center of attention. (A side ben- agree is the proper thing. some sacrifices without expecting any- efit is that many dealers, even some of the Manager1: “Take their money, dealer.” thing in return. most experienced, make a lot of mistakes Me: “FRED!” (Fred is the shift manager, a Gifts are a great way for you to personally when talking, and you can be a bit selec- few tables away.) reward those dealers, managers, and hosts tive in which mistakes to point out.) You Manager2: “What’s the problem, who have helped you most, or whom you can score big if you make the dealers feel George?” would like to help you in the future. important, because they are typically Me: “It looks like the dealer misdealt, and Christmas and birthdays are nice made to feel like machines or punching he’s got blackjack.” “excuses” to give gifts. Remember that bags. Dealer: [explains the situation] Manager2: tips are usually pooled, so it’s best to be Towards that end, remember names. “Call the round dead. Redeal.” stingy on tips, and generous with gifts and You’ve got it easy in most casinos, as their Manager1: “But, but, but...” very generous with the free niceties and names are plastered right on them. Me: “Thanks a lot, Fred.” relationships. Ian Anderson advises to not Remember their names anyway, so that Manager2: “No problem, George.” leave the upper management out of the gift you can call them by name from afar or Manager1: “But, but, but...” loop, as otherwise they could get jealous. ♠ Intelligent Gambler 8 Indeed, one shift manager at a casino was convenient way to control the simulator Send us a clearly written, succinct ques- pretty pissed that I gave a bottle of cham- and practice your skills. Shortcuts are tion indicating which of David Sklansky pagne to a floor manager—I should have available for more functions and provide a or Mason Malmuth should answer your spread a few bottles around. consistent way to use the strategy tables, question. Include your name, address, Call me a wimp if you wish. I’m laughing alter betting and use the drill exercises. phone number, and payment information. all the way to the bank. And I’m really bad What’s the Same: Blackjack Trainer con- Your written answer will come via return at remembering names and establishing tinues to be a tool for the serious blackjack mail from ConJelCo. personal relationships. I’m a math weenie player. The focus remains on substance David Sklansky or Mason Malmuth will and computer nerd, after all. If I can do it, over flash. A key goal is to excellent simu- answer your questions to the best of their then surely you can do it too! lator performance. By taking advantage of ability. At their sole discretion they may Abdul Jalib M’Hall is a professional gam- new performance enhancements in com- decide not to answer a question, in which bler currently based in California. puter systems and allowing more control case there will be no charge. More com- of simulations, you can explore more play- plex questions which require longer Blackjack Trainer 3.0 ing and betting strategies and collect better amounts of time may require a higher Paul Crumley performance statistics. charge. You will be notified before your ConJelCo is happy to announce that By allowing user comments and sugges- credit card is charged. Blackjack Trainer 3.0 for Windows is in tions to guide the selection of new facili- You explicitly give permission for David beta test and we expect that it will be avail- ties Conjelco has strived to extend Sklansky and Mason Malmuth to use your able by about February 1997. Blackjack Blackjack Trainer in ways that will help question in their writings. All answers are Trainer 3.0 for Macintosh will follow. most users without altering the elements © by their author and remain their prop- Current registered users of Blackjack of Blackjack Trainer that work well. erty. Trainer will receive upgrade information System Requirements: Windows 3.1 or The preciseness of your question will help as soon as we are certain of it’s release Windows95, 2 MBytes of disk space, 386 determine how the answer applies to your date. Purchasers of Blackjack Trainer for or newer Processor situation. Neither David Sklansky, Mason Windows 2.0 after 10/1/96 will be able to Malmuth, nor ConJelCo guarantee that upgrade for a modest shipping and han- What’s New? applying the answers provided will dling charge, with proof of purchase date. Chuck Weinstock improve your game or make you a winner. This version of Blackjack Trainer incorpo- Las Vegas Blackjack Diary. Con- We specifically disclaim liability for your rates many of your requests along with our JelCo will soon be publishing a re-edited use of the information, including all con- own ideas. Space precludes us from listing edition of Stuart Perry’s wonderful Las sequential damages. all of the changes, but here is a sample. Vegas Blackjack Diary. This book follows Other Items. Masque’s World Series of Play and Drill Exercises: Performance the true-life adventures of a mid-stakes Poker Adventure Deluxe Casino Pack will information is kept making it possible to card counter as he attempts to ply his trade be available for the Macintosh around the review strategy mistakes to create drills in Las Vegas. The book has attracted time you see this. The New Gambler’s that focus on trouble areas in your play. excellent reviews. Don Schlesinger says Bible by Arthur S. Reber is perhaps the Response time is tracked to help estimate that “this is a book not to be missed by best of the current crop of books of gam- your performance in casino conditions. anyone on the blackjack scene.” Michael bling in general. The Card Player Digest Dalton calls it an “outstanding book you Interrupt and save your place then com- is compendium of the best articles from will find hard not to finish in one sitting.” plete an exercise at a later time. Profit, the Card Player since 1988. Poker Talk by high and low bankroll, and variance Las Vegas Blackjack Diary will retail for Michael Wiesenberg is a compendium of results can be exported for import to other $19.95 and should be ready to ship to cus- poker terminology, both commonplace programs or for printing. tomers by the end of January. Through the and obscure. The 1995 World Series of Simulation: Better control of bet size is later of January 31, 1997 or the day the Poker video takes you live to the action at available. Shuffles can be forced to simu- book is ready to ship you can purchase this Binion’s Horseshoe. Fool Proof is the new late Wonging. Strategy errors can be sim- book for $17.95 plus shipping. way to learn how to play Texas Hold’em, ulated allowing the estimation of their Poker Chips. We now offer ten gram billed as a thirty-day plan to Hold’em suc- effect on your EV. Multiple small sessions clay casino quality chips. These are the cess. Jazbo Burns has created “perfect” can be simulated to better understand how same “hat and cane” chips used by many play strategy cards for Atlantic City video stop limits or “risk of ruin” concepts effect casinos. The chips come custom embossed poker. Dan Paymar has compiled articles your profit. Statistical information is on both sides and are available in nearly 60 from past issues of his Video Poker Times tracked to monitor bankroll fluctuations, colors. Chips are 55¢ each or 65¢ each newsletter into The Best of Video Poker expected profit, the effects of strategy with edge spotting. Minimum order 250 Times. Knock-Out Blackjack by Olaf Van- errors and casino rules on your profit. Sim- chips. Chip cases are also available. Con- cura and Ken Fuchs is a hot new book on ulations can be interrupted and resumed at tact ConJelCo for ordering information. blackjack which introduces the Knock- a later time. Results can be exported for Consulting Services. As a ConJelCo Out count. Knock-Out Blackjack Work- use with other programs or printing. customer you can receive written expert shop is companion software to make User Interface Improvements: The basic answers to your questions from your learning the new count easy. Finally, Karel structure of Blackjack Trainer has been choice of experts David Sklansky or Janecek’s Statistical Blackjack Analyzer is enhanced rather than redesigned. Interface Mason Malmuth for the introductory price a new full featured high-speed blackjack changes provide a more consistent and of $30.00 per question. simulator. ♠ Intelligent Gambler 9